Album Review: Living in a Daydream from Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion

Album:  Living In A Daydream
Artist:  Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion
Label: Self-Released
Website:  miguelespinozafusion.com

Living in a Daydream is Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion’s third full length album, featuring original compositions by leader and guitarist Miguel Espinoza.  Along with Espinoza is cellist Dianne Betkowski and bassist Randy Hoepker at the group's core.  Also performing on the recording are guest musicians Howard Levy on harmonica and piano, Andy Skellenger on tabla, cajon, and vocals, Mario Moreno on congas, timbales and percussion, Linda Richardson on castanets, and Nabin Shrestha on tabla and vocals.

The stimulating fusion of flamenco guitar with jazz improvisation, Latin dance grooves, and folkloric soul is an exciting blend that breeds merriment and liveliness through the swirling rustles of the strings from Espinoza's guitar, Betkowski's cello, and Hoepker's bass traversing across "Nagi Yaté."  Like celestial bodies sparkling in the evening sky to the music within, the group holds the listener in a magnetic trance that awakens spots where joy had been dormant.  Subsequently, "Bubble" is laid-back, adorned in the gentle ruffles of Espinoza's guitar with Levy's harmonica jutting about with a frolicking gait.

The nimbleness in Espinoza's fingers is intriguing as he articulates an excitement that penetrates the listener in "Division" while Betkowski's nuanced statements add depth to the conversation.  The atmosphere changes to ramblings that are more cautious in nature with a slinky strut in Espinoza's movements trundling along "Zelda The Caterpillar Goes To Spain," then turn inquisitive as the airy wisps of Levy's harmonica soulfully ruminates with a leisurely saunter across "Sunrise," basking the track in folksy tones.

The slow trickling notes cascading through "Falling Snow" emote a contemplative , shrouded in a prayer-like tranquility that switches to a festive dance through the rippling strings of "The Storm."  The rhythmic pulse igniting "Journey Home" emanates a warmth that invites the listener to the party, not as a spectator but as a part of the collective experience.

The third full length recording from the Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion emits joyful vibrations from start to finish.  A collaborative experience, Espinoza does not make listeners feel like an outsider but an insider, who contributes by being open to being moved by the music and allowing the melodic patterns speak to their soul.

Musicians:
Miguel Espinoza - guitar and palmas
Howard Levy - harmonica and piano
Dianne Betkowski - cello, palmas, and vocals
Randy Hoepker - bass
Andy Skellenger - tabla, cajon, and vocals
Mario Moreno - congas, timbales and percussion
Linda Richardson - castanets
Nabin Shrestha - tabla and vocals